This brief charts the ways in which German Artificial Intelligence (AI) policy has been prioritised by Angela Merkel since the 2017 Federal Elections, drawing in particular on the AI Strategy of the Federal Government, which was approved by the cabinet on 16 November 2018 and which was presented at the 2018 Digital Summit in Nuremberg on 4 December 2018.

“Europe would benefit from a political overhaul” were the words of French President Emmanuel Macron on 13 February 2018 at a press conference at the Élysée Palace. With the European Parliament elections due to take place over three days from 23-26 May 2019, it has become clear that President Macron is indeed actively driving such a European political overhaul himself by extending the En Marche! movement to the European Parliament.

In this policy brief, Brendan Keenan examines a general problem of understanding between Germany and its partners: that even when they agree that German prescriptions for their own countries have some merit, they disagree with Germany's prescriptions for itself. The brief seeks to enhance understanding of the rationale behind Germany’s economic policy and the challenges it is currently facing, in particular demographic developments

On Sunday, 25 November 2018, the European Council approved the text of the Withdrawal Agreement and Political Declaration. This blog outlines the outcomes of the Special Summit and examines the next steps in the Brexit process.

About Us

The IIEA is Ireland’s leading European & International Affairs think tank. We are an independent, not-for-profit organisation with charitable status.

Our role is to identify key European and international policy trends, which will inform the work of Ireland’s decision makers and business leaders, and enrich the public debate on Ireland’s role in the EU and on the global stage.